14 June 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
On Sunday, June 16th, the 170th edition of the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1) over 2,100 metres is held at Chantilly. This race is restricted to 3-year-old fillies. It is one of the four Classics that take place in France, along with The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains and des Pouliches (Gr1s) over 1,600 metres, and the QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1), which also takes place over 2,100 metres. A Classic is a race reserved for 3-year-old horses, which separates the cream from the crop for breeding purposes.
Recognized for its elegance and excellence, the Prix de Diane Longines was created in 1843. This race is famous for its chic picnic which takes place in the centre of the racecourse, with a fashion show and best-dressed competition. The Prix de Diane has not always taken place at Chantilly. In 1848, the race was run in Versailles. It did not take place in 1871 because of the Prussian occupation nor during World War I between 1915 and 1918. It was run in Longchamp between 1919 and 1920, and again in 1936. The race returned to Paris and Tremblay during World War II and after. The meeting was cancelled in 1975 because of a strike by the stable staff. The Prix de Diane Longines opened up to fillies born and raised outside of France in 1947. In 1974, the first foreign filly won. She was owned by Queen Elizabeth II, Highclere. Between 1977 and 1982 the race was sponsored by Revlon, and from 1983 to 2007 by Hermès, and since 2011 by Longines.
Legendary fillies have won this race, such as the unforgettable Trève, winner of two Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr1) afterwards, the unbeaten champion Zarkava, also the winner of the Arc a few months later, and Divine Proportions, who only lost once in her career, on her final public start.
This year, the lineup is mouth-watering. The filly Siyarafina, who is owned by His Highness the Aga Khan comes to the race unbeaten, while trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, who has just won the QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club with Sottsass, will be represented by no less than four runners: Commes, Étoile, Ebony and Cartiem.